The Secretariat of the Board of Directors of Byblos Bank S.A.L. announced that the Board of Directors, in line with the development and growth of the Bank’s business in Lebanon and abroad, passed during its meeting held on 25 July 2015 two resolutions approving the election of Dr. François Bassil as Chairman of Byblos Group, and the election of Mr. Semaan Bassil as Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Byblos Bank S.A.L.
The election of Dr. François Bassil came pursuant to the resolution of the Extraordinary General Assembly of Shareholders held on 15 May 2015 to create Byblos Group, which is comprised of the banks and subsidiaries of Byblos Bank S.A.L.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Byblos Bank S.A.L., Mr. Semaan Bassil is vested with the powers granted to him by law and the Articles of Association. In this capacity, Mr. Semaan Bassil represents Byblos Bank S.A.L. in Lebanon and abroad, implements the Board’s decisions, and conducts the Bank’s business and daily operations. Byblos Bank S.A.L. operates in 12 countries around the world, through its branches and subsidiaries, namely Byblos Bank Europe, Byblos Bank Syria, Byblos Bank Africa, Byblos Bank Armenia, Byblos Bank RDC, Adonis Insurance and Reinsurance Company (ADIR), Adonis Insurance Company Syria (ADIR Syria), and Byblos Invest Bank, in addition to the branches of both Iraq and Cyprus and the two representative offices in the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.
During more than 25 years of his professional career, Mr. Semaan Bassil, a holder of an MBA from Cambridge University (United Kingdom), has assumed many senior positions. He started his journey in 1988 with Fidelity Bank in the United States and became later Vice-Chairman and General Manager of Byblos Bank S.A.L. in 2000 and until his election as Chairman and General Manager in July 2015. He is also Chairman of the Board of Byblos Bank Syria since its establishment in 2005; and Chairman and General Manager of Byblos Invest Bank since 2013. Mr. Bassil is as well a Board member of Byblos Bank Europe and Byblos Bank Africa, and chairs a number of board committees in the various banks affiliated to Byblos Bank S.A.L.
Dr. François Bassil, Chairman of Byblos Group, noted that these new Board resolutions reinforce Byblos Bank’s position among the leading banks in Lebanon, and contribute to the development of its structure and therefore its business in Lebanon and abroad. Under the current local and regional circumstances, the Bank will continue to strengthen its financial performance by maintaining good asset quality and high levels of capital adequacy and liquidity. It will also pursue its plans for the improvement, development, simplification and automation of its procedures, as well as the adoption of the best methods and tools made available by modern technology to offer its customers optimal banking services.
Above all, Byblos Group’s employees constitute the primary safety net and the key factor in its continued success and progress. Mr. Semaan Bassil’s wise leadership and broad experience in banking, coupled with his deep knowledge of all the ins and outs of the business of Byblos Bank S.A.L. and affiliated banks and companies in the 12 countries where it operates, will contribute to the Bank’s steady advancement and sustainable growth so that it remains “Your Bank for Life.”